¡Es Hora de Fiesta!: Hispanic League Hispanic Heritage Month Event

By: Lena Pearson

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, observed from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, Winston-Salem’s Hispanic League hosted its 33rd annual Fiesta Festival downtown. This family-friendly event promised free admission, inviting members from all over Winston-Salem and beyond to become immersed in the vibrant Latin American culture that exists within the Triad. The event is held each year to highlight the importance of Hispanic culture and connect members of the broader community through food, music, and celebration.

Held on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the event was jam-packed with cultural food, booths from local vendors, and musical performances from members of the community. Upon entering the festival, food trucks lined the streets, offering various Hispanic cuisines and treats, ranging from savory meals such as tacos, taquitos, empanadas, and pupusas to sweet desserts and beverages like mangonada, pan dulce, and churros. Although the lines were long with community members eagerly awaiting their delicious, authentic Hispanic food, they enjoyed singing and dancing along with the performers who were on stage just feet away. 

For the entire event, various performances, parades, and traditions special to Hispanic culture were under the spotlight of the main stage for all attendees to enjoy. The musical performances included shows from Grupo Sueño Nuevo, Oscar Oviedo Band, Anthony Vasquez y su banda, Grupo 6-15, Ricardo Diquez, and the Tropic Orchestra, as well as a final performance by Diana Reyes to end the night. The day also included a proclamation ceremony, a flag parade, a Ballet Folklórico de México ensemble, and a dance contest. The loud, cheerful music and festive atmosphere radiated throughout the festival all day long and could still be heard while walking on the downtown streets of Winston-Salem. 

Events such as the Fiesta are the key to uniting individuals of a community who come from vastly different backgrounds. Those who attended this festival were met with an impressive display of Hispanic culture and were encouraged to embrace it by participating in activities, trying new cuisines, and appreciating the customs that were potentially different from their own. Whether one was present at Fiesta or not, the special event serves as an important reminder to learn about new cultures and to celebrate Hispanic Heritage locally, globally, and the whole month long.